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Golden Rule earns deficiency-free rating |
| Channels » Home » News » Golden Rule earns deficiency-free rating |
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July 30, 2004 |
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This article by Rachel E. Sheeley was reprinted with permission from the July 30, 2004, edition of the Richmond (Ind.) Palladium-Item.
Golden Rule Nursing and Rehab Center staff celebrated Thursday.
They celebrated the results of the center's Indiana State Department of Health survey July 13-16 that showed no deficiencies. In other words, the center got an A+.
While employees filled the lawn to see their bosses splashing into a dunk tank or to eat a Pork Chop Charley dinner, Administrator Barry Hughes talked about the positive evaluation.
"What it means is that during the period that they surveyed us ... they did not find us out of compliance with those standards that allow us to be certified by Medicare and Medicaid," Hughes said.
"They didn't find us deficient at a degree that was non-compliant," he said. "It's not like we're perfect -- we were in compliance with all the standards."
However, earning a deficiency-free rating doesn't come easy. Golden Rule's last deficiency-free rating was in 1995.
The Indiana State Department of Health's Long-Term Care Division inspects nursing homes every nine to 15 months without warning. Inspectors for this survey surprised the Golden Rule staff by arriving at 4 a.m.
The inspection assesses compliance with federal standards of care such as staffing adequacy, care quality and cleanliness. At the time of the survey, the center had 153 residents.
Hughes said a nursing home couldn't prepare for an inspection in a day or even a week. "The staff has to be continually on their toes," he said.
As Hughes received a plaque honoring the achievement from Richmond Mayor Sally Hutton, he said, "I'm just the grease that keeps all the wheels going. Everyone else is the nuts and bolts of the place."
Hughes, who has led Golden Rule since 1996, said the center has about 170 employees, some of whom are contracted, and the center's annual payroll is about $7 million.
Hutton, who often visits friends in nursing homes, said the rating is wonderful for the community.
"It says a lot for the employees and the managers, that they're doing their job," she said. "It's great to know that people care enough about their jobs to do it right. It takes special people."
Vickie Cortner, customer relations representative for Beverly Healthcare, which operates Golden Rule and Oakridge Rehab and Specialty Care in Richmond, took pictures as staff paused in their duties to have a little fun and food.
"We're in the party mode," Cortner said. "Everybody is just so excited. We're just really proud of our staff, of the care that they give to our residents on a daily basis."
Rosella Bennett, director of the Alzheimer's care unit at Golden Rule, took a turn on the "hot seat" of the dunk tank to celebrate.
"It's probably one of the greatest accomplishments you can have working in a nursing facility," Bennett said. "Only 1 or 2 percent of nursing homes in Indiana get a deficiency-free rating."
Harold Young of Richmond watched the fun the staff was having and smiled. Later, he sat with his wife, Golden Rule resident Pauline Young, under the nursing home portico, where a celebratory banner hangs. His wife has come to Golden Rule for therapy five times, the most recent stay starting in May.
The couple said they have been happy with Golden Rule and are pleased it has met such high standards. "I think it's a nice place," Harold Young said. "She likes all the nurses. I think everybody out here likes it."
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